Lily asks
How would you spend a whole day with no phone?
How to build your answer
What if: four moves, about a minute.
- 1Pick oneChoose quickly. “I'd go for…”
- 2Why that oneThe reason it wins.
- 3Picture itWhat it would look like. “I'd probably…”
- 4The catchWhat could go wrong, or what you'd miss.
Lily's answer, three ways
The same story, from easy to advanced. Tap a highlighted phrase to learn it.
Easy
Lily's voice note
Honestly, I think it'd be lovely, after the first hour of panic. I'd have a lie-in, then make a proper breakfast and actually sit down to eat it, instead of scrolling. Then I'd go for a wander round the market near my flat, buy some vegetables and flowers, and maybe sit in the park with a book. In the afternoon I'd cook something slow, like a big soup, and play records instead of using my phone for music. In the evening I'd invite my flatmate to sit and have a proper chat, no screens at all. I think I'd feel really calm by the end of it. The only scary bit would be not knowing the time, ha. I'd have to find my old watch.
Phrases to borrow
sit down to eat
/ˈsɪt ˈdaʊn tə ˈiːt/
eat at a table properly, not on the move
We always sit down to eat together on Sundays.
go for a wander
/ˈɡəʊ fə ə ˈwɒndə/
walk around slowly with no special plan
Let's go for a wander round the old town.
have a proper chat
/hæv ə ˈprɒpə ˈtʃæt/
talk properly, in a long and real way
We finally had a proper chat over dinner.
Natural
Lily's voice note
I think it'd be lovely, once I got over the first hour of panic. I'd have to plan ahead a bit, though, and find my old watch, or I'd have no idea what time it was. I'd have a lie-in, then make a proper breakfast and eat it at the table instead of scrolling. After that I'd walk round the market near my flat and just follow my nose, picking up some vegetables and flowers, and maybe read a book in the park. In the afternoon I'd cook a big soup and play records instead of using my phone for music. Then in the evening I'd sit and chat with my flatmate, no screens at all. It sounds like a real treat, really.
Phrases to borrow
follow your nose
/ˈfɒləʊ jɔː ˈnəʊz/
to go wherever looks interesting, without a plan or a map
We didn't have a map, so we just followed our nose through the old town.
a real treat
/ə ˈrɪəl ˈtriːt/
something special and enjoyable
Breakfast in bed is a real treat.
Advanced
Lily's voice note
I'd probably feel really twitchy for the first hour, reaching for a phone that isn't there. But I reckon I'd settle into it quickly. I'd start with a lazy lie-in and a proper breakfast, eaten at the table like a civilised person, not hunched over a screen. Then I'd potter round the market near my flat, filling a bag with vegetables and flowers, and curl up in the park with a book. The afternoon would be a big soup bubbling away while my old records played. In the evening I'd just chat with my flatmate, properly, with no screens. It'd feel like I'd finally come up for air. The only tricky part would be fighting the urge to check the time, so I'd have to find my old watch.
Phrases to borrow
feel twitchy
/ˈfiːl ˈtwɪtʃi/
nervous and restless, can't relax
I get twitchy if I don't exercise.
settle into something
/ˈsetl ˈɪntə ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
get used to a new situation and feel comfortable
It took a month to settle into my new job.
come up for air
/ˈkʌm ˈʌp fə ˈeə/
take a break after being very busy
I've been so busy, I haven't had time to come up for air.
fight the urge (to do something)
/ˈfaɪt ði ˈɜːdʒ (tə ˈduː ˈsʌmθɪŋ)/
try hard not to do something you want to do
I'm fighting the urge to eat the whole cake.
Your turn: answer Lily
How would you spend a whole day with no phone?
Answer out loud, in your own words. Try one phrase you just borrowed.
Dreams & goals
plan ahead
prepare before something happens
“If you plan ahead, the trip's much cheaper.”
heytardy